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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-07-05Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek Prime Minister Tsipras: 'Today democracy conquers fear'ANA-MPA -- "Today democracy conquers fear," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Sunday, in a message after casting his vote in Greece's historic referendum. "Many people can ignore the will of a government. But no one can ignore the will of a people," the prime minister said in Athens' working class district of Kypseli, where he is registered to vote. He referred to signs that "the Greek people's determination was defeating the propaganda of fear" and expressed his conviction that from Monday, Greeks will have broken a new path for all the people of Europe. "Today is a day of celebration because democracy is a celebration, it is joy. And when democracy overcomes fear and extortion, then it becomes a redemption and a way out. The Greek people today send a very strong message. A message of dignity and determination. The message that they hold a choice in their hands. No one can ignore the will of a people to live. To live with determination and take their life in their own hands," he said. "I am certain that from tomorrow we will have broken a path for all the peoples in Europe. A path of return to the founding values of democracy and solidarity in Europe, sending a strong message of determination, not only to stay but also to live with dignity in Europe. To do well and work as equals among equals. Let us therefore make this act of strong will, this celebratory act of democracy, an act of determination for a better future for all of us, both in Greece and Europe. I am very optimistic," Tsipras said.[02] 'Today we Greeks decide the fate of our country,' ND's Samaras saysANA-MPA -- Main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras arrived at the Pylos polling station where he is registered to vote early on Sunday morning, smiling and relaxed as he greeted local Messinia residents in his native electoral district. "Today we Greeks decide the fate of our country. We vote 'yes' to Greece, 'yes' to Europe," he said in a brief message after casting his vote. He was greeted on his arrival by Pylos-Nestoras Mayor Dimitris Kafantaris and Peloponnese Region Deputy Governor Periklis Mantas. Immediately after voting, Samaras departed for Athens.[03] Greek opposition parties slam government's actions ahead of referendumANA - MPA -- Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis called for a unity government after Sunday's referendum to avoid elections, in a televised message on Friday."Our proposal for Sunday night: A government of national unity with the participation of SYRIZA. I want to believe that the prime minister [Alexis Tsipras] will behave responsibly and will not make the next fatal mistake of resort to elections in August," Theodorakis said. Speaking to the people who are considering voting ‘no' on Sunday, the leader of Potami said Europeans would interpret it as one more step by Greece to disengage from Europe. He said many mistakes have been made by all sides in the past five years but anger does not help someone make the right decisions. "There are no magical solutions. The easier a solution seems, the faker it is," Theodorakis warned, adding that he shares people's fear for what the next day will bring. "A ‘yes' is the big break with the old habits which are followed by the new government ... The banks must open on Tuesday, to allow the market to operate again," he noted. "Please, don't cut the last rope connecting us with Europe," he said, reminding people that Alexis Tsipras is left without any allies in Europe, as socialists and leaders from southern European nations are asking Greeks to vote ‘yes'. Theodorakis also urged all Greeks not to divide. Commenting on Tsipras' address earlier in the day, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said the prime minister is mocking the people. "Mr. Tsipras and the government's ministers, in line with the IMF, have proclaimed as an ultimate goal for the people the settlement of the debt, which would even justify unpopular measures," the party said in a statement. "At the same time, he [Tsipras] asks for a new 30-billion-euro loan which will be accompanied by a new memorandum." They are basically asking the people, the party notes, to accept those measures in the name of a new debt management which, whenever it took place in the past, it brought with it a destruction of worker's rights. PASOK party leader Fofi Gennimata accused the government of not having the courage to take on their responsibilities for a deal with Greece's lenders and submitting it to parliament. Gennimata said that Alternate Minister for International Economic Relations Euclid Tsakalotos admitted in a morning talk show that the government chose to hold a referendum to avoid a collapse. She said that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras then continued the deception by claiming that he will bring a deal in 48 hours and will guarantee the re-opening of banks, bank deposits and pensions. "He's proven to be an untrustworthy prime minister." "No more lies. Saying ‘yes' to Greece, ‘yes' to Europe and ‘yes' to the euro is a vote of hope, democracy, pride and dignity for every Greek and mainly for the new generation," she concluded. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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